Federal Judge Blocks Ala. Abortion Clinic Law

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson is blocking enforcement of Alabama's new abortion clinics law until August 15.

Lloyd Gallman
/ Montgomery Advertiser

A federal judge has blocked enforcement of Alabama's new abortion clinic law until Aug. 15 to allow time for both sides to file more legal arguments.

The new law was passed by the Legislature in its spring session. It requires doctors at abortion clinics to have approval from a local hospital to admit patients.

The law was supposed to take effect July 1, but Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union and others got U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson to delay it while the groups challenged in it court.

Thompson's temporary restraining order was supposed to run out July 12, but he extended it Tuesday to Aug. 15 with agreement from parties on both sides.

The plaintiffs contend the law will stop abortions at three of Alabama's five licensed clinics.

A federal judge says he will decide Friday whether to temporarily block a new Alabama law that requires doctors at abortion clinics to have approval to admit patients to a nearby hospital.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson heard arguments from attorneys on both sides Thursday. He said he will decide Friday whether to issue a temporary restraining order because the law is supposed to go into effect Monday.

Opponents say Alabama's legislation will be challenged in court like Mississippi's.

The Republican-led House and Senate approved the bill Tuesday night, mostly along party lines. It now goes to Gov. Robert Bentley. He said Thursday he plans to sign it after his lawyers make sure there have been no unanticipated changes from the bill he endorsed early in the legislative session.

A rally to defeat a bill that would impose restrictive rules for Alabama's abortion clinics drew advocates to the Statehouse steps on Tuesday.

Organizers from Planned Parenthood and several Democratic legislators spoke to a crowd of about 200 people urging defeat of HB57. Several speakers asserted that by imposing more restrictions on women's health clinics, the legislature is attempting to limit access to constitutionally guaranteed abortion care.